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Visitors can check status of Eastlink, Design Works Centre amenities online

My Grande Prairie Now Staff
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Visitors can check status of Eastlink, Design Works Centre amenities online

Thinking about going for a swim or skate? Well, a new online portal will allow you to check for availability and status of a particular amenity before you even leave the house.

The City of Grande Prairie’s ‘AccessNow’, will show, within a 20-minute accuracy window, amenity status as either available, partially available or unavailable due to planned or unexpected maintenance, contaminations, or other issues, at both Eastlink Centre and Design Works Centre.

“AccessNow reflects our commitment to building a more connected, accessible and wellness-focused community,” says Mayor Jackie Clayton.

“By offering timely, accurate updates on facility closures and interruptions, we’re empowering visitors to plan ahead, stay active and get the most out our recreational facilities.”

If an amenity is operational, it displays green; if the amenity is partially operational, it displays yellow; and if the amenity is not operational, it displays red.

You can learn more about, or access the AccessNow dashboard here.

Grande Prairie Liberal candidate focusing on farmers, energy, and workers during 2025 campaign

Ethan Montague
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Grande Prairie Liberal candidate focusing on farmers, energy, and workers during 2025 campaign

The Liberal’s pick for Grande Prairie is in, armed with a list of promises for the Peace Country’s critical sectors.

Maureen McLeod has held numerous elected positions within the Liberal Party of Canada, but now her eyes are on the MP spot.

Farmers and food

McLeod says protecting food producers is critical, especially as the Canada-US Trade War continues to leave farmers in the dark.

“We will make permanent the doubling of the revenue protection of farmers under the Agri-Stability Program- $6 million per farm, in the case of significant revenue drops caused by, for example- tariffs,” she says. “We will build more domestic processing capacity with another $2 million domestic food processing fund, [and] as your MP I would personally champion Grande Prairie as a new processing plant site.”

McLeod adds that support for farmers goes beyond revenue protections- she says the Carney Liberals plan to spend more on farmers for sustainability, and to “clean up” the industry as a whole.

“Increase the support for farmers and ranchers with an additional $30 million in agri-marketing programs,” she says. “Help farmers and ranchers to buy new farm equipment with a $30 million top-up to the agriculture clean technology program.”

Energy

McLeod says if elected, she will support the Liberal plans to open up trade and energy distribution between the provinces, along with new programs to reduce the decision making process for major federal projects.

“Establish a major federal project office to move forward one project, with one review, issuing decisions for major projects within two years instead of five,” she says. “Develop a trade and energy corridor, build out an east-west electricity grid, invest in Canada’s clean energy potential.”

Workers

When it comes to workers, McLeod makes promises to increase opportunities for workers, no matter what point they are in their careers.

“For our valued workers- a new upscaling and training benefit up to $15,000 for workers in the middle of their careers, an apprenticeship grant of up to $8,000 for registered apprentices,” she says. “A new $20 million capital funding stream for colleges such as Northwestern Polytechnic to support new training spaces for apprentices.”

Incumbent Conservative MP running for the “future generations” of Grande Prairie

Ethan Montague
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Incumbent Conservative MP running for the “future generations” of Grande Prairie

Grande Prairie’s incumbent Conservative MP Chris Warkentin says he is running for the “future generations” in the 2025 Federal Election.

Warkentin was first elected as a Member of Parliament in 2006 in the Peace River riding, and since then, has served in a number of capacities in Ottawa as an MP.

“It is a privilege for me to serve as your member of parliament, I have for the last number of years, and it is my privilege to be here as the conservative candidate, looking for your support yet again,” he says. 

Family

According to Warkentin, family is most important when it’s time to consider running again. He says before any election, he and his wife contemplate whether the sacrifice is worth the cost.

“We talk about if or not it’s important we continue down this road, for me, it’s a privilege for me to serve and I love the job so much, but I know that it’s a personal sacrifice for my wife and my children, so these discussions are important to me, my family is important to me,” he says.

Nearly 20 years in Ottawa later, Warkentin says he sees his service as a “necessity” to keep the Peace Country a viable place to live for generations to come.

“We talked about the necessity to ensure that our children, and all the children of the Peace Country, the grand children that we may some day have, might be able to still call this home, and enjoy the opportunities we enjoy.” 

Peace Country roots

Reflecting on his ancestors, Warkentin says the Peace Country was not always the agricultural hub it is today.

“I think back over 100 years ago to where my great grand parents arrived to the Peace Country via rail,” he says. “They were fleeing the Ukraine, where the communists were taking over, where they saw no opportunity for the generations that follow.”

“They left a country where they were told stories of a place where the top soil was six feet deep, where you could grow the most beautiful crops in the world, and they landed in a forest of poplars.”

The longtime Tory says hard work and determination from generations gone by is the reason Peace Country residents of today can enjoy the bounty of the land, so now, that responsibility falls on them.

“They pressed forward, they believed they could build a better future for themselves and for the generations that followed,” he says. “The generations that followed have done better, successively generation after generation, life has become better, and one has built the foundation that the next has built off of.”

“I’ve been blessed to now be a great grandchild that stands here, and now wonders if my children will have the same opportunities that I had.”

Cost of living

Warkentin points to the rising costs of basics like housing and groceries as evidence of a need for change after ten years of Liberal government.

“As we look around, we know there’s been an uncontrolled increase in the cost of living, we’ve seen rents and mortgage costs double over the last ten years,” he says. “We’ve seen grocery prices skyrocket- just today there was a new report indicating that we’re seeing food inflation at a 50-year high.”

He adds that as inflationary pressures continue to pose threats like higher taxes on Canadians, it is important to think of the future generations on election day.

“We see a limited opportunity because of the decisions of the Liberal government to fight against the industries that are so important to our community,” he says. “As we see the escalation of taxes and red tape, the opportunities seem even that much more difficult, so I’m running for the future generations.”

Grande Prairie Rhino Party candidate ready to successfully run 10th unsuccessful election campaign

Ethan Montague
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Grande Prairie Rhino Party candidate ready to successfully run 10th unsuccessful election campaign

Grande Prairie’s Federal Rhinoceros Party candidate says he’s ready to successfully run in his 10th unsuccessful election bid, running with a sharp focus on communication with Ottawa.

Donovan Eckstrom is a 33-year-old Peace Country product with a knack for teaching kids, and running in elections.

Grande Prairie issues

Eckstrom maintains that if elected, the number one priority for him in office will be issues that affect Grande Prairie.

“Grande Prairie issues are clearly the number one priority for the Rhinoceros Party,” he says.

Reflecting on his previous campaign promises, Eckstrom says his priorities in 2011 are still key issues for Peace Country residents today.

“When I ran in 2011, I ran on a platform to have our voices heard via a tin-can telephone which would be lead from Centre 2000 to Ottawa so our voices would be heard,” he says. “While at home visiting my parents, I found the original can- the promise is back baby.”

Canada’s political climate

The longtime Rhino encourages all Canadians to exercise their right to vote, especially as the country looks more polarized every day.

“I encourage those who are checked out, frustrated, etc. to utilize the ballot to send a message,” he says. “Staying at home to protest lumps you in with those who think Toronto is the capital of Canada.”

“A vote for a Rhino sends a clear, concise message: I would rather a satirical candidate than those who are serious.”

What residents are saying

According to Eckstrom, a trend among Grande Prairie residents seems to follow him wherever he goes- confusion.

“I’ve enjoyed the conversations with people who are completely disenfranchised and convincing them that a Rhinoceros Party candidate has their back because I too am completely disenfranchised!”

Number one priority

Eckstrom says housing affordability is simply “out of control,” and “clearly the number one priority” for the Rhino Party. To combat housing issues, the Rhinos plan to turn to Canada’s wildlife.

“We promise to implement the Moose-Back Mortgage Program- all first time homebuyers will receive a semi-domesticated moose,” he says. “Your mortgage rate will be determined by how much the moose likes you after a one month period.”

Tariffs

Eckstrom maintains the “number one priority” for the Rhinos is settling the ongoing tariff dispute with the US through retaliation.

“We promise to impose a retaliatory tariff on all U.S. country music that mentions tractors, unless the artist has driven one in a canola field during the Teepee Creek Stampede,” he says. “We are sick and tired of Nashville stealing our aesthetic and will fight for all Canadian musicians.”

Cost of living

Eckstrom says the cost of essentials like utilities are “through the roof”- so a federal plan to support Albertans would be “helpful.”

“Cost of living pressures are clearly the number one priority for the Rhinoceros Party,” he says. “We feel that a federal plan to help support Albertans from the feds will be helpful.”

“With that said, the Rhinoceros Party promises to retrofit all homes in northern Alberta with a stove that burns broken promises from Ottawa.”

Grande Prairie PPC candidate looks to “hold politicians accountable” during second election bid

Ethan Montague
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Grande Prairie PPC candidate looks to “hold politicians accountable” during second election bid

The People’s Party of Canada candidate for Grande Prairie says he’s looking to “hold politicians accountable” in his second federal election campaign.

A product of Northern BC, Shawn McLean has called Sexsmith home for the past eleven years, and says Canada’s political climate has left him “frustrated,” and looking for another option, more suited to his conservative beliefs. 

“Growing frustrated with the political climate there, I sought a place where things aligned more closely with my values—a decision that led me here,” he says. 

True conservatism

McLean says he first felt compelled to run during the 2021 Federal Election, after finding himself frustrated with the direction of the Conservative Party of Canada.

“I reached out directly to Pierre Poilievre, urging him to champion true Canadian conservative values- yet, with his unwavering support for O’Toole, I realized I needed an alternative [and] that’s when I discovered the People’s Party of Canada,” he says. “Now, as I embark on my second campaign, I’m eager to connect with each of you.”

The former oilfield Instrumentation Technician says it’s up to Canadians to hold politicians accountable to the people they serve, particularly during this election.

“I’m committed to dismantling censorship, exposing corruption, and challenging the biases that obscure alternatives to the entrenched governmental machine,” he says. “With your trust and support, we can forge a brighter, more transparent future for our community and our country.”

Equalization payments

McLean maintains that equalization payments are simply “unfair,” as all provinces would need to vote for change, so a “rework” would be in order upon election.

“A PPC government would reduce the size of Equalization payments to provinces to make sure the provinces with the greatest need benefit from it, and those that just continue to abuse the system are more incentivized to do more for themselves instead of doing less to get more,” he says.

He adds that if the issue goes unaddressed- the sense of division between Canada’s coasts will only grow.

“Without this key consideration addressed, we will continue to see a division fester between East and West- we’ve had enough over here,” he says.

Corruption

McLean says a vote for the PPC is one that offers a “clear path” away from “Liberal corruption,” and “repeated failures” of the CPC’s leadership.

“If elected, I would move to create an anti-corruption agency, modeled after Singapore’s success and adapted to Canada’s Constitution- this agency would have significant authority to look behind parliamentary privilege and other legal barriers to uncover corruption,” he says. “Transparency would be its foundation, ensuring every action is visible to the public.”

“People are fed up with the Liberals’ unchecked reign, a Goliath-like power, despite Trudeau’s corruption and Mark Carney’s shady past.”

Tariffs

McLean’s stance on Tariffs remains one of mutual benefit between the US and Canada. He says working with the current US administration will be critical in navigating the conflict going forward.

“Diplomacy’s about keeping things level, but it goes sideways when ego and hot tempers stir big talk,” he says. “We see a shot here- instead of locking horns, we’d rather sit down with him, work out give-and-take that helps both countries, and avoid an economic mess.”

“Our military’s underfunded, and exports still rely too much on the U.S- that’s from decades of Liberal and Conservative policy.”

County raises municipal tax rate by 2.4 per cent, citing “increased demand” for services

Ethan Montague
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County raises municipal tax rate by 2.4 per cent, citing “increased demand” for services

The County of Grande Prairie has approved the 2025 budget, which includes a 2.4 per cent municipal tax hike.

The increase translates to around $57.85 more per year, or around $4.82 per month on a property valued at $575,000.

Municipal taxes cover all items that contribute to quality of life, including roads, emergency services, and funding for community programming and facilities.

According to the county, public feedback consistently identified roads and public safety as key priorities for this year’s budget. In fact, nearly 70 per cent of the capital budget will go towards road and bridge projects.

Population growth

Since 2012, the county has seen significant growth, with the population sitting right near the 27K mark. Reeve Bob Marshall says this is a testament to what the region has to offer, despite ongoing inflationary pressures on Alberta’s municipalities.

“This significant growth makes it clear that the County offers a high quality of life and is committed to low and competitive tax rates even as our cost to maintain programs and services continues to rise due to inflation and our rapid population growth,” he says. 

Pandemic aftermath

Reeve Marshall maintains that the increase will help to ensure county programs and services remain sustainable; however, council still faces a $9 million deficit as a result of reserve spending during the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Based on our current funding allocations, we are still faced with using reserves to balance a $9 million deficit,” he says. 

Demands

Officials say the county’s tax base is “rebounding,” but gains have been offset by “increased demands” to maintain programs.

NWP, FVSD announce partnership to open up Bachelor of Education remote courses

Ethan Montague
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NWP, FVSD announce partnership to open up Bachelor of Education remote courses

Northwestern Polytechnic and the Fort Vermillion School Division have announced a new partnership to bridge education opportunities in the North.

The two partners recently inked a deal that will enable the first remote cohort of FVSD students to enroll in NWP’s brand new four-year Bachelor of Elementary Education degree.

NWP President and CEO Dr. Vanessa Sheane says the aggreement formalizes the collaboration between the two, and broadens career pathways for Alberta’s northernmost communities.

“We are delighted that both learners and communities will benefit immensely from BEd graduates who are trained and retained locally,” she says.

As part of the new partnership, NWP will run a mixture of in-person and remote course delivery through FVSD learning spaces. Officials maintain that students will have access to a number of supports and course practicums will be able to be completed in local classrooms.

The collaboration will be piloted over the next four years, and applications are now being accepted for NWP’s Fall 2025 intake.

St. Stephen’s chosen as Valleyview recipient of Smile Cookie donations

Ethan Montague
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St. Stephen’s chosen as Valleyview recipient of Smile Cookie donations

The Holy Family Catholic Regional Division has announced St. Stephen’s School as this year’s recipient of the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign in Valleyview.

From April 28th to May 4th, 100 per cent of proceeds from Smile Cookie sales at the Valleyview Tim Hortons will be donated directly to St. Stephen’s School to support programming and strengthen the school community.

Nationally, in 2024, the campaign raised nearly $20 million. School officials say funds raised through Valleyview Smile Cookie sales will be used to enhance educational resources, extracurricular activities, and community events at the school.

Principal Jodie Chrisholm says the investments will help to ensure every student has the chance to thrive.

“We are incredibly grateful to be chosen as the beneficiary of this year’s Smile Cookie campaign,” she says. “Every cookie purchased helps us create more opportunities for learning, growth, and connection within our school — and that’s something to smile about.”

The school division is encouraging all Valleyview residents and anyone passing through to stop by Tim Hortons during Smile Cookie Week.

ASIRT concludes investigation into police-involved shooting in Grande Prairie

Ethan Montague
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ASIRT concludes investigation into police-involved shooting in Grande Prairie

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team has completed its investigation into an officer-involved shooting that occurred in December, 2023.

According to ASIRT, on December 20th, the affected person was involved in a domestic violence complaint, which involved the discharge of a firearm, before escalating into a hostage event.

Responding officers safely removed the hostage from the residence after several hours; however, the affected person, still armed, barricaded himself inside the home and refused to exit the residence. Officers contained the residence and negotiators attempted to persuade him to peacefully surrender.

ASIRT’s report indicates the individual moved to the rear glass patio door of the home, making efforts to conceal himself behind curtains. Police say he brandished a shotgun to police through the opening of the door, before repositioning himself behind the curtain, raising the weapon to point directly at the position of one of three officers under investigation for the shooting, along with a witness officer.

Those two officers believed the person in the residence fired at them, leading to three RCMP members discharging their weapons.

ASIRT Assistant Executive Director Matthew Block determined the officers were acting reasonably, under the belief that the affected person posed a risk to their lives if they did not act.

“Their uses of force were proportionate, necessary, and reasonable,” Block’s report reads.

As a result of ASIRT’s findings, the involved officers actions were deemed reasonable, and no offence was committed during the incident.

Beaverlodge Municipal Hospital ED closes for 24 hours due to physician shortage

Ethan Montague
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Beaverlodge Municipal Hospital ED closes for 24 hours due to physician shortage

The Beaverlodge Municipal Hospital Emergency Department has been temporarily closed due to a lack of physician coverage.

As a result, the ED will be closed from 8:00 a.m. April 17th to 8:00 a.m. April 18th.

AHS says nursing staff will remain on-site to provide triage, assessments, and referrals for patients to alternate emergency departments in surrounding communities.

Residents are asked to call 9-1-1 in case of emergency and EMS will remain available to the community with re-routing to surrounding healthcare centers. For non-emergencies residents are asked to call Health Link at 8-1-1, for 24/7 inquiries.

City of GP beginning pest control operations in May

Ethan Montague
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City of GP beginning pest control operations in May

The City of Grande Prairie will begin annual pest control operations this May, with a focus on controlling noxious weeds, insects, and plant diseases.

Every year, operations continuously run throughout May and October, depending on the weather, on city-owned land within municipal boundaries.

Officials maintain that all pest control is completed using products registered with Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency.

“This program supports the community’s enjoyment of outdoor spaces by responsibly managing pests in line with public health and environmental standards,” Parks Director Kase Devries says. 

Additionally, the city is reminding homeowners that under the Provincial Weed Control Act, property owners are responsible for identifying and controlling noxious weeds on their own land, as they can spread quickly, damaging the surrounding ecosystem.

Residents can report noxious weeds in public areas or along roadways by contacting AccessGP at 3-1-1.

Any burning except campfires now prohibited under City of GP Fire Advisory

Ethan Montague
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Any burning except campfires now prohibited under City of GP Fire Advisory

The City of Grande Prairie has joined the county in issuing a fire advisory, effective immediately.

Under the advisory, fire permits for open burning and fireworks will not be issued, existing burning permits will be suspended, and new fire pit permits will be issued on a case-by-case basis, strictly for “light burning” activities only.

Permitted activities include safe wood campfires, backyard fire pits, portable propane fire pits, gas or propane stoves and barbecues, and catalytic or infrared-style heaters.

Any burning without a valid permit, besides campfires, is now prohibited. Officials say the advisory will remain in effect “until conditions improve.”

GPFD responds to downtown dumpster fire

Ethan Montague
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GPFD responds to downtown dumpster fire

The Grande Prairie Fire Department was dispatched to the area of 99th Avenue and 97th Street in response to a dumpster fire behind the RBC in downtown GP.

On April 16th at around noon, the GPFD responded to the blaze, which engulfed most of the dumpster.

A pair of RCMP cruisers, along with members of the Grande Prairie Police Service’s Community Standards Unit controlled traffic, while a GPFD engine addressed the flames.

Crews responded quickly and there is no visible damage to any of the surrounding structures.

Grande Prairie RCMP reminds residents to watch out for online scams

Ethan Montague
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Grande Prairie RCMP reminds residents to watch out for online scams

The Grande Prairie RCMP are reminding residents to be mindful of scams, both online and over the phone.

According to police, as digital communication continues to rise, fraudsters are finding new ways to scam unsuspecting victims.

To start, the RCMP says when it comes to online scams, the simplest method of avoiding them is ignoring them. Police say taking a few extra steps like changing passwords, ignoring suspicious links, and using anti-virus software can make a significant difference in your online safety.

When it comes to social media, police say protecting your personal information is critical in avoiding scams. Law enforcement says you should never share banking details, SIN, or passwords online, or with anyone who contacts you unexpectedly.

Additionally, the RCMP is encouraging businesses to keep an eye out for gift card scams. According to police, fraudsters will often pressure victims into purchasing large quantities of gift cards as a form of payment.

As a result, businesses should watch for warning signs of gift card scams like customers who wish to purchase a large number of gift cards, especially in high denominations, customers who appear anxious, or “in a rush,” customers insisting they must complete the purchase immediately, or are unwilling to answer questions.

If you are suspicious of a scam, residents are asked to contact local police, and reach out to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Rotary hoping for another sellout year as Dream Home Lottery enters final days

Ethan Montague
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Rotary hoping for another sellout year as Dream Home Lottery enters final days

The 32nd Annual Rotary Dream Home Lottery is hoping to sell out for a third year in a row.

The lottery is entering its final week of ticket sales, and with 84 per cent of tickets sold, Raffle Manager Melissa Coulombe says Rotary is looking to make this edition the first time the lottery sells out three years in a row.

“With only days remaining, we are hoping the community will get behind us and help us hit our goal,” she says.

The lottery’s 50-50 jackpot is also approaching its limit. Officials say the jackpot has already reached $400K of its $750K limit, so the contest will run until midnight on April 22nd, or until the limit is reached, whichever is first.

The $1.6 million Carriage Lane property is open for viewing Friday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the final 2 days of sales on April 21st and 22nd.

Mounties snag driver doing double the limit during speed enforcement blitz

My Grande Prairie Now Staff
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Mounties snag driver doing double the limit during speed enforcement blitz

At least once driver had police doing a double take, as they were clocked doing double the speed limit during a recent speed enforcement blitz conducted by Grande Prairie Rural RCMP.

Mounties were keeping an eye on several locations on Highway 40 during the two day blitz April 14th and 15th, with at least three notable tickets handed out to drivers for excessive speeds and other potential dangerous actions behind the wheel. Authorities say among the biggest offenders were drivers pulled over for going 104km/h in a designated 50km/h construction zone with workers present, a driver peeling at 120km/h in an 80km/h zone, and a driver who was pulled for performing stunts.

“With the arrival of warmer weather improving road conditions, the Grande Prairie RCMP has noted an uptick in reckless driving behaviors, particularly speeding” said Cst. Van Eyk of the Grande Prairie RCMP.

“We are calling on the public to follow speed limits, stressing the importance of protecting all road users and roadside workers. We also commend the majority of drivers who demonstrate responsibility and contribute to road safety by obeying traffic regulations.”

Several other drivers were stopped for a range of moving traffic violations, with numerous tickets and warnings being issued.

County of GP issues Fire Advisory for entire county, including towns, due to recent dry, windy weather

Ethan Montague
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County of GP issues Fire Advisory for entire county, including towns, due to recent dry, windy weather

The County of Grande Prairie has issued a fire advisory for the entire county, including the towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith, and Wembley, effective April 15th, until further notice.

This comes due to current and forecasted weather conditions, and increased dry grass hazards throughout the region. Deputy Fire Chief Chad Cormack says county crews have already seen the threat the region’s dry, windy weather poses, especially as the last signs of winter fade away.

“Since Friday we’ve attended seven different vegetation fires, majority of them were grass fires,” he says. “There’s not a crazy concern with the size of the fires yet, I think the biggest one was about half a hectare, but again, continuous dry, windy weather just increases that risk.”

What it means

According to Deputy Chief Cormack, advisories are simply the first step in making the public aware of any fire risks in the region, and it is not uncommon to see advisories in the spring.

“Essentially it’s just the first step in notifying the people that our fire hazard is high, especially this time of year,” he says. “It just gets people a little more aware.”

Additionally, while existing fire permits remain valid, Fire Services will evaluate any new permit requests personally, issuing them on a case-by-case basis.

Safe campfires are still permitted; however, officials are urging “extreme caution,” especially with strong winds in the forecast. Burning is not permitted when winds reach or are forecasted to reach 12 kilometres per hour or higher.

Numerous city facilities closed, operating under adjusted hours on Good Friday

Ethan Montague
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Numerous city facilities closed, operating under adjusted hours on Good Friday

Numerous city facilities will have adjusted hours of operation on April 18th in recognition of the Good Friday statutory holiday.

The Ernie Radbourne Pavillion at Muskoseepi Park, Eastlink Centre, and Design Works Centre will all be operating within the holiday hours of 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Meanwhile, City Hall, the City Service Centre, Bonnetts Energy Centre, Montrose Cultural Centre, Grande Prairie Museum, Dave Barr Community Centre, Activity and Reception Centre, and Cedar Point will all be closed during the holiday.

When it comes to transit, busses will operate under holiday hours, which are the same as Sunday’s operational hours, with regular service from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and late night, on-demand service available from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

All facilities and transit will operate under regular hours on Easter Sunday and on Monday.

County advising of bridge repairs, detours expected

Ethan Montague
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County advising of bridge repairs, detours expected

The County of Grande Prairie’s search for trolls will continue this month.

The County is advising residents of another bridge repair project, this time on Township Road 744 between Range Road 90 and 91.

Officials suggest the project is expected to take until sometime in “late April” depending on the weather.

Traffic will see at least some affect, with detours to Township Road 750; however, the county maintains local traffic will be allowed through periodically throughout the project’s duration.

The county says any questions can be directed to the Transportation and Utilities Department.

$283K in drugs seized following organized crime investigation in Grande Prairie

My GP Now
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$283K in drugs seized following organized crime investigation in Grande Prairie

Six people are facing numerous charges after members of the ALERT Grande Prairie organized crime team seized over a quarter of a million dollars in cash and drugs following a nearly two year investigation.

Officials say the group under investigation was believed to be involved in drug trafficking in the Grande Prairie region and into British Columbia. On March 13th, a 42-year-old from Wembley, believed to be the leader, has been charged with instructing the commission of an offence from a criminal organization and conspiracy to traffic drugs, amongst other offences.

“[The accused] was allegedly the head of a criminal organization that was deeply rooted in Grande Prairie and beyond. Drug trafficking, linked to his group, would have caused considerable community harm,” said Insp. Brad Lundeen, ALERT.

Included in the seized items, include 2,220 grams of cocaine, more than 1,000 opioid pills, a loaded handgun which had previously been reported stolen, as well as various amounts of illegal steroids.

Five others, including three from Grande Prairie, a second person from Wembley, and a resident of Sexsmith, are facing a total of 22 charges in connection to the investigation.

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